Founded in 1986, Talley Vineyards has shown the way for glorious Chardonnay and Pinot Noir from the Arroyo Grande Valley/ San Luis Obispo region of California. Two of their sites produce very limited Pinot Noir bottlings: Rincon and Rosemary’s Vineyard. These are hillside sites located just miles from the Pacific Ocean. The impression both these wines made on me was profound. (One cannot help but bring to mind the glory of Burgundy’s Côte de Nuits when tasting these.) I had a tiny preference for the “Rosemary’s,” but either would provide you with a most expressive, luxurious Pinot experience. Just getting hold of them is a challenge, but it’s well worth it! (Only 25 barrels of the Rosemary was produced in 2014.) This would be an exquisite accompaniment to any Thanksgiving feast.
2014 Pinot Noir, Talley Vineyards, Rosemary’s Vineyard $65-$80 srp
Deep, brilliant garnet color. Remarkable freshness and berry cream notes literally gush out to your sinuses. Elements of red cherry, tobacco and beet root add complexity to this textbook Pinot nose. Its purity of fruit tantalizes and comforts like a velvet sheath. The mouth texture is medium-bodied and seductively smooth, with bright minerality and spice chiming in on the calm, warm yet resilient finish. Delicious now, and has a history of added complexity with further bottle age. Drink now-2021.
95/100 points
